Tibet Museum

Tibet Museum

Located in the southeast of Norbulingka, Tibet Museum is a modern museum built in 1999. It covers total area of 23,508 square meters (5.8 acres) with an exhibition area of 10,451 (2.6 acres). The building of Tibet Museum is very magnificent, and it is a pioneering institution in the history of Tibet.

Located in the southeast of Norbulingka, Tibet Museum is a modern museum built in 1999. It covers total area of 23,508 square meters (5.8 acres) with an exhibition area of 10,451 (2.6 acres). The building of Tibet Museum is very magnificent, and it is a pioneering institution in the history of Tibet. The building complex is a wonderful combination of Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles.

What to See

The Inner Decorations

Walking up the steps to the building, visitors will be amazed by the colorful ornamented beams, pillars, lintels, banners and wall hangings of Tibet Museum. The introductions there are written in Tibetan, Chinese and English, so it will be easy for visitors from all over the world to know detailed information about the museum. Tour guides of many languages will also be there to help.

Rich Collection

Tibet Museum is home to a rich collection of precious relics, including various styles of prehistoric cultural relics. There are different styles of Buddha statues which are made in different materials and postures.

Visitors are also able to see the ancient Tibetan books that are written in different materials, Tangka paintings, all various music instruments, featured ethnic handicrafts and potteries and porcelains of unique flavors. The carefully selected exhibits are able to tell visitors the long history and splendid cultures of Tibet from the aspects of history, cultures, arts, religions and folk customs.

Special Exhibits

Twin Steans

Evacuated in the Kano ruins of Chamdo, the Twin Steans (双体陶罐) were produced in exquisite structures by skillful craftsmanship. It represents the superb skills on making porcelains, and is the representative work of Tibet porcelains during the Neolithic phase (New Stone Age). The two steans are regarded as the most valuable displaying items in the museum.

Golden Seal of the Fifth Dalai Lama

During the reign of Shunzhi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1638-1661), the Fifth Dalai Lama of Tibet went to Beijing (the capital of Qing dynasty) to have an audience with the emperor.

The Shunzhi Emperor designated him as the Fifth Dalai Lama, and issued him with the golden seal, which was made with pure gold and weighted 8.5 kg (230 ounce). The characters on the seal are in Chinese, Tibetan, Manchu and Mongolian languages. From then on, every Dalai Lama of Tibet is designated by the central government of China.

Pattra-leaf Scriptures

Pattra-leaf Scriptures (贝叶经), or Beiye Scriptures, are Buddhist scriptures written on Pattra leaves (usually grew in South Asia area).

Before paper making techniques introduced into India, the ancient Indians invented the methods of using special materials to make the Pattra leaves into a good writing medium and easy to be kept for a long time. Pattra-leaf Scriptures are the first hand materials for people to study the early stage of Buddhist history and culture.

Nearby Attractions

Lhasa is a Buddhist shrine. To visit here is a travel of purification of mind. Yamdrok Lake is a must-see for visitors after visiting several monasteries and is a feeling of serenity.